The program is being funded by student living specialist Scape Australia and aims to help support Australia’s education sector by alleviating some of the financial burden brought on by Covid-19. 

“We acknowledge the economic pressure and uncertainty that is impacting the education sector”

In total $26m will be spent over three years. The first leg of the program is $6m and is being made available to future frontline health workers, who are enrolled in courses such as nursing and health science in semester two, 2020.

As well as being given beds, students will have access to wifi, cinema rooms, gyms, have their bills covered, and will have access to health safety & wellbeing initiatives.

“Our vision is to support students who are studying courses in fields helping to create a better future for Australia’s health,” said Anouk Darling, CEO of The Scape Group. 

“This scholarship bed program will see dedicated student accommodation across key cities readily available to a large cohort of students studying nursing, health science, education and research – all eligible to apply,” Darling added.

The Scape Group acquired Atira Student Living in October 2019 and the long-standing Urbanest brand in May 2020 – bringing its portfolio of owned and operated student buildings to 24. 

Having been first responders to living solutions amid a pandemic, the Urbanest and Atira teams say that they are “well equipped to support these students”.

“We acknowledge the economic pressure and uncertainty that is impacting the education sector, our university partners and their student cohorts,” said Craig Carracher, executive chairman of Scape Group.

“In an unprecedented year, we must play a role in building back up and future proofing both our health and education industries in Australia,” he said.